The lawyer prosecuting pot legend (and singer) Willie Nelson may be backing off against a judge’s wishes, and Nelson could walk away scot-free.
TMZ first reported Willie Nelson’s run-in with police in December of last year. Law enforcement officers boarded and inspected Nelson’s tour bus at a Texas borderpatrol stop, finding just under four ounces of marijuana on board. Nelson received a misdemeanor charge for possession. (Willie Nelson endorses Republican presidential candidate Gary Johnson)
Initially, it seemed Nelson would face punishment in the form of a $500 fine. Because he wasn’t carrying enough pot to be charged with a felony, jail time wasn’t an option according to the gossip website.
The sentence was also reduced to possession of drug paraphernalia, a lesser charge, in exchange for Nelson entering a no contest plea.
But reports today say that the judge has rejected the plea bargain struck by Nelson and the district attorney. Apparently, the judge thought the deal went too easy on Nelson because of his celebrity status.
It appears the judge’s decision may backfire: Sources tell TMZ that the prosecutor may not recommend a stronger punishment, instead choosing to sit on the case until it’s dismissed completely due to lack of prosecution.
If he does, Nelson gets off without any jail time or fines, and will get to smoke his pot in peace.
Of course, this isn’t Nelson’s first run-in with police over drugs. Since 1994, Nelson has been arrested a number of times for marijuana possession. In 2006, he was caught with hallucinogenic mushrooms.
Following his most recent arrest in December, Nelson founded the Teapot Party with the goal of — you guessed it — legalizing pot.